THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
Johann Sebastian Bach
Hugh Banton, organ
According to legend J.S. Bach wrote The Goldberg Variations in 1740 as a commission for Count Keyserlingk, former Russian envoy to the court of Saxony.
Originally written for two-manual harpsichord, the work very naturally transposes to the organ, and the tonal possibilities of this multi-keyboard instrument add a clarity to the two-part and three-part counterpoint not always evident in more familiar renditions.
The work starts and ends with an Aria, to which the 30 variations are linked by bass-line and harmony alone - in effect thirty very individual pieces.
You can download the free cover art here.
The entire album - 2 mp3 tracks wrapped in a 50Mb zip file - can be purchased for £6.49.
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